Strap on the Skates at These Outdoor Rinks

The DMV has fairly moderate temperatures year-round. But during the winter, when cold Canadian winds whistle down the Potomac River, make the best of it by strapping on some skates and going for a spin around the ice. Area ice skating rinks are now open. New this year, is a rink in Alexandria’s Cameron Run Regional Park. Most offer lessons if you don’t know how to skate, and most are also available for birthday, corporate or private parties.

The Camerons Run Regional Park in Alexandria has a new outdoor ice rink this year. (Photo: NOVA Parks)

Cameron Run Regional Park

New for 2019, Alexandria’s Cameron Run Regional Park’s waterpark is being turned into a winter wonderland. From Nov. 15 through Feb. 29, Ice & Lights transforms the park with a holiday light display until Jan. 5 and a 55 foot-by-80 foot ice rink through Feb. 29.

The rink is open from 5-10 p.m. nightly from Nov. 15 through Jan. 5 and from 5-10 p.m. on Fridays and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays through Feb. 29. Admission is $8 for everyone 2 and older. (From Nov. 15-Jan. 5, $5 admission to the winter village is also required to access the rink.) Skate rentals are $4.

The Canal Park Ice Rink is in the Capitol Riverfront area near Nationals Stadium. (Photo: Canal Park Ice Rink)

Canal Park

The Canal Park Ice Rink, 200 M St. SE, is open Nov. 6 through Mar. 10 and offers a winding track set against an alluring cityscape in the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood. Lessons are also available. Youth group lessons are available Saturday morning from 9-9:25 a.m. for ages 7-15 and 9:30-9:55 a.m. for ages 3-6. The cost is $95 for five weeks including skate rental. Adult lessons are Sunday mornings and cost $105 for five 50-minute lessons and 50-minute practice sessions. Private lessons are also available. While you are there, take a break and grab a slice of pizza from Wiseguy Pizza, or a coffee or gelato from Altani as you warm up inside.

The rink is open from noon-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon-11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. It is also open 10 a.m.-11 p.m. on public school holidays. Admission is $9 for adults, $8 for children or senior citizens and skate rental is $5.

The ice rink at the National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden attracts thousands of skaters to the Mall each year.
(Photo: National Portrait Gallery)

National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden

The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Rink, Constitution Avenue and Seventh Street NW, is open Nov. 15 through Mar. 15. A long-time favorite destination that attracts thousands of visitors to skate on the National Mall, it is surround by sculptures by renowned contemporary artists such as Louise Bourgeois, Alexander Calder, Roy Lichentstein, Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. Enjoy a bite to eat or a hot drink at The Pavilion Café while you take a break. Lessons are offered from 10-11 a.m. on Saturdays and Tuesdays from 6:30-7:30 p.m., and cost $150 for five 30-minute sessions, $400 15 30-minute lessons and $38 for a single 30-minute walk-in group lesson.

The rink is open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $9 for adults, $8 for children 12 and younger, senior citizens 50 and older, military and students with a valid school ID. Stake rental is $4 and locker rental is 50 cents.

The ice rink at Pentagon Row is the largest in Northern Virginia and second largest in the state. (Photo: Pentagon Row)

Pentagon Row

The Pentagon Row Outdoor Ice Skating Rink, 1201 S. Joyce St., Arlington, is open from Oct. 28 through Mar. 21. It is the largest outdoor rink in Northern Virginia and the second largest in the state. It features a dual-sided stone fireplace to warm yourself by during breaks. Youth group lessons are available from 9-9:25 a.m. Saturdays. The cost is $95 for five weeks including skate rental and an hour practice session. Adult lessons are Sunday mornings and cost $105 for five 50-minute lessons and 50-minute practice sessions. Private lessons are also available.

The rink is open from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday, noon-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon-11 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-11 a.m. on Saturday. It is open every day including holidays and the day before when the hours are 10 a.m.-11 p.m., except New Year’s Eve, when it will be open from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Admission is $10 for people 13 and older, $9 for children 12 and younger and for senior citizens 55 and older. Skate rental is $5.

The Reston Town Center ice rink is in the center’s pavilion. (Photo: Reston Town Center)

Reston Town Center

From Nov. 5 through Mar. 15, the Reston Town Center Ice Rink, 1818 Discovery St., Reston, transforms the center’s pavilion floor into a gleaming ice skating rink. Four-week lessons, which are $125 per session, are offered from 9:30-10 a.m. and 10:15-10:45 a.m. on Saturdays Nov. 23, Dec. 7, 14 and 21; Jan. 11, 18, 25 and Feb. 1, and Feb. 8, 14, 22 and 29.

The rink is open from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday. There are extended holiday hours. Adult admission is $10 and children 11 and younger, seniors 55 and older and military are $9. Skate rental is $7.

Rockville Town Square’s ice rink is the largest in Montgomery County. (Photo: Rockville Town Square Outdoor Ice Skating)

Rockville Town Square

The Rockville Town Square Ice Rink, 13 Gibbs St., Rockville, is the largest outdoor rink in Montgomery County. It is open from Oct. 19 until March. Skating lessons for children ages 7-15 are from 9-9:25 a.m. on Saturdays and children ages 3-6 are from 9:30-9:55 a.m. Saturdays. Both are $100 for five weeks. Adult lessons are Sunday mornings and cost $110 for five classes with a 50 minute practice session after. All lessons include skate rental.

The rink is open from noon-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon-11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. It is open from 10 a.m.-11 p.m. on holidays except New Year’s Eve, when it is open from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Admission is $9 for adults 13 and older and $8 for seniors and children 12 and under. Skate rental is $5.

Silver Spring converts Veterans Plaza to an ice skating rink. (Photo: Silver Spring Ice Skating)

Silver Spring

The Silver Spring Ice Skating Rink at Veterans Plaza, 8523 Fenton St., Silver Spring, is surrounded by restaurants, shops and plenty of parking that is free after 8 p.m. weeknights and all day on weekends. It is open from Oct 10 to early-April. Youth lessons for children ages 7-15 are from 9-9:25 a.m. on Saturdays and from 9:30-9:55 a.m. for children ages 3-6. Introduction to ice hockey lessons are from 8-8:50 a.m. Saturdays. Youth group sessions are also available Tuesdays from 5:30-5:55 p.m. and Wednesdays from 6-6:25 p.m. Adults lessons are from 9-9:50 a.m. on Sunday. Youth group lessons are $100 for five weeks, and adult and hockey lessons are $110 for five-weeks. Private lessons are also available.

The rink is open from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday, noon-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon-midnight Friday and 10 a.m.-midnight Saturday. Hours are 10 a.m.-midnight whenever Montgomery County Schools are closed. Admission is $9 for adults 13 and older and $8 for senior citizens and children 12 and younger. Skate rental is $5.

Skate along the Potomac River at the Washington Harbour Ice Rink. (Photo: Washington Harbour)

Washington Harbour

Rejoice in riverfront views at the Washington Harbour Ice Rink, 3050 K. St. NW, which is open from Nov. 18 through Mar. 15 in Georgetown. Skate alongside the Potomac River and enjoy a hot beverage from one of the rink-side restaurants. Specials include Two for Tuesday with two-for-one admission from 4-6 p.m., College Night Skate each Thursday with $2 off with a college ID, Cartoon Skate from 10 a.m.-noon Saturdays and Rock the Rink from 8-10 pm. Saturdays. Lessons are given from 9-9:30 a.m. or 9:30-10 a.m. on Saturdays and 5-5:30 p.m. and 5:30-6 p.m. on Wednesdays. The cost is $125 for four weeks of lessons.

The rink is open from noon-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon-10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday with extended holiday hours. Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for children, military and senior citizens, and $6 for skate rentals.

The new Wharf developement on the Southwest Waterfront has a skating rink beside the Potomac River.
(Photo: Mark Heckathorn/DC on Heels)

The Wharf

Glide over the ice and enjoy amazing views of the water at the Wharf Ice Rink on the new development’s Transit Pier, 960 Wharf St. SW. It is open daily from Dec. 6 through late February. The rink, right on the Potomac River’s edge in the city’s Southwest Waterfront, is cash-free and only accepts electronic payments. On Mondays, residents in the 20024 ZIP Code get a $2 discount between noon-6 p.m.

The rink is open from noon-6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, noon-10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, noon-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon-90 p.m. Sunday. There are extended hours on holidays. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for active military and senior citizens 65 and older, and $8 for children 12 and younger. Skate rental is $6.